Wine Royalty

There are a lot of ways to describe the producers in today’s offer. They are the best of the best, the benchmark, the envy of their peers, the standard by which everyone else is measured. It’s hard to settle on a single description when names like these are involved, but any one of them earns a place in this elite club of royalty.

Being the patriarch, or matriarch, of a category is a heavy crown to wear, but these producers have worn it exceptionally well and stood the test of time. Bruno Giacosa has long been the benchmark for Barolo, and few can truly contend with that legacy. The same can be said for Masseto in the Super Tuscan world. While not the first, it has unquestionably blazed one of the brightest trails. And when it comes to Amarone, the conversation inevitably begins with Quintarelli.

Opus One brings nearly 50 years of prestige, while Screaming Eagle has spent almost 35 years building a cult following unlike any other. Neither lacks for demand. In the Northern Rhône, Allemand and Chave remain the benchmarks, and it’s difficult to imagine either being unseated anytime soon. Cristal and Salon? Those are quite literally the Champagnes of royalty.

We close with a Burgundy lineup that has more than stood the test of time. DRC hardly requires an introduction. Roumier paved the way for countless producers who followed, while Mugnier continues to push even its most established peers to elevate their game. After all, that’s exactly what Mugnier has been doing for decades.